Dateline: June 30, 2017. Citi Field; Queens, NY. Mets vs. Phillies. Though the hometown starter whiffed a dozen visiting batters, this wasn’t exactly a game for the ages. But the ballpark fare — hot pastrami — turned out to be a taste of Seventh Heaven. Now, I’ve been to a lot of baseball parks through […]

If there’s one thing you should know about Serrano ham, it’s this: Grandma didn’t serve this stuff at Easter during your childhood. Nope. Well, unless you lived in Spain as a child. Whereas the ham we (North Americans) are used to is a smoky juicy delicacy in itself, our friends in Spain serve up this […]

I know my Manchego. Bries and Blues — well-rounded. I’m even sharp when it comes to Cheddars. But Bread Cheese? What in tarnation is Bread Cheese? Lucky me. I found out in the most unlikely of ways. ‘Adam, you’ve got to try this cheese,’ Catherine told me as I dodged scooter-drivers and cart-pushers at my […]

It’s nice to know people. No, I don’t know J.J. Watt. Ashamedly, I’d never really heard of him before moving to the Houston area a couple years ago. But trust me when I say that the mere mention of his name in these parts makes men stand up and salute, and women shudder with delight. […]

Have you ever swigged from a glass of water only to realize that it’s lemon lime soda? No matter how much you might enjoy the latter, such a surprise makes for a bad experience. Such was the case with my first turnip. ‘Mmmm, a pot of greens,’ I said to my childhood friend as we […]

It’s no secret among the folks in my tight circle that I’m not a huge Thanksgiving fan. Sure, I’m thankful for all that is good. And I enjoy being in the company of (some) family. But … turkey? Yeah… You’re more than welcome to eat my portion. And green bean casserole? Oh, my. Leave it […]

Dear Catherine — Who would’ve thought that you’d be celebrating our 22nd wedding anniversary grading papers? Or watching our baby girl’s very last high school marching band performance? I never would have guessed that all these together years would be celebrated over Dairy Queen soft serve. Neither could I have predicted that, on our 22nd […]

Our Chestnut Lane home has been on the market for almost a year. Maybe longer. I’ve lost track of time here in the Jimmy Rockford. With the lack of interest in this totally updated 2,400-square-foot beauty, I’m beginning to think it’s haunted. Nope. We’ve experienced nary a nibble from would-be home buyers. Perhaps the kitchen […]

There’s a scene in Mr. Holland’s Opus in which a retiring band director is surprised by the return of his former students. Similarly, the 1939 film Goodbye, Mr. Chips is centered around a once-surly teacher who ultimately leaves footprints of great depth and breadth with his young learners. My ‘Mr. Chips’ was Sylvia Trussell. I […]

It’s been said that a decent cat photo can propel an otherwise quiet living person to virtual fame. For my money, boxer puppy photos win the Internet, but still I present this foggy out-of-focus snapshot for your viewing pleasure… It only took about six months in the Jimmy Rockford for the neighborhood (feral) cat to […]

Who is this Oddball?

I don’t consider myself to be any quirkier than the next guy, but family and friends disagree.
My name is Adam J. Holland and I put stadium hot dogs and chips & salsa on the same culinary pedestal as dry-aged beef and white truffles. Brave enough for more?